Mother Homeland Monument, Kiev (must see)

The Mother Ukraine Monument is one of the most recognizable and awe-inspiring landmarks in the country. Situated within the expansive grounds of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War, this colossal stainless-steel statue rises an impressive 102 meters (or 335 feet) into the sky, symbolizing the strength, resilience, and enduring spirit of the Ukrainian people.

The monument was unveiled in 1981 during the Soviet era as a tribute to the millions who perished and the countless others who fought bravely during World War II. It was originally designed by the famed Soviet sculptor Yevgeny Vuchetich, known for his monumental works celebrating heroism, and later completed by Ukrainian sculptor Vasyl Borodai after Vuchetich’s death. Constructed from more than 450 tons of stainless steel, it was engineered to withstand powerful winds and earthquakes.

The statue portrays a formidable female warrior holding a sword in her right hand and a shield in her left—an image meant to embody protection and strength. For decades, the shield bore the Soviet hammer and sickle.

In 2023, the emblem was replaced with Ukraine’s trident, the national coat of arms, symbolizing a powerful shift toward independence and national identity. In August of that same year, following this transformation, the monument was officially renamed the Mother Ukraine Monument, or "Ukraina-Maty" in Ukrainian.

Surrounding the statue is a vast memorial complex filled with wartime relics, military equipment, and memorial halls honoring the fallen. Inside, visitors can take an elevator to observation decks within the statue, where sweeping views of the Dnipro River and Kyiv’s skyline stretch into the distance.